In the 1890s the Dutch painter, George Hendrik Breitner took nude reference photos for his paintings. In the 1990s they were found.


Marie Jordan Nude (Breitner’s wife), Seen from the Back, George Hendrik Breitner, ca. 1889

George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923),
photograph by Willem Witsen, 1891

Breitner the painter never rested. He was a relentless innovator and in this vein made extensive use of the relatively new medium of photography. He saw in it a reference tool that could help add authentic levels of realism to his art. Over time he built up his own reference library of photographs of the subjects which became his principal themes. It’s due to the his embracing of the medium we have so many views of the Amsterdam of the time. In 1996 a whole horde of his images we’re discovered. Among these were photographs of Geesje Kwak, the teenage muse for his “girl in a kimono” series, a quantity of quality early street photography and other imagery clearly intended as reference for paintings.

And these nudes. They’re not all exactly what you’d expect from art reference nude photography at the prudish turn of the century. These women are at ease and comfortble with being naked, happy even. They look although they walk around naked all the time. Some of the most beautiful images are those Breitner shot of his wife, Marie Jordan.

Reclining Nude, 1887
Marie Jordan Nude Lying on a Bed, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1888
George Hendrik Breitner,
photograph by Willem Witsen, 1891.
Female Nude in Front of a Mirror,
George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1890-1910
Reclining nude, George Hendrik Breitner, 1887
Untitled, George Hendrik Breitner, 1900.
Untitled, George Hendrik Breitner, 1900.
Reclining nude, George Hendrik Breitner, 1888
Marie Jordan Nude, Seen from the Back, George Hendrik Breitner, ca. 1889
Female nude, George Hendrik Breitner, 1892
Untitled, George Hendrik Breitner, 1900.
Untitled, George Hendrik Breitner, ca. 1890-1910
Reclining nude, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1885-1890
Portrait of a female nude with Breitner in the mirror, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1890-1910
The Model Gathers up her Clothes, George Hendrik Breitner, 1888
Seated nude, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1889-1915
Reclining Nude, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1890-1900
Reclining nude, white sheets, 1888
Reclining nude, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1889-1915
Female nude, 1888
Untitled, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1900.
Untitled, George Hendrik Breitner, c. 1900.
Reclining nude, unknown date

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